"....Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" (Phil. 2:6-9).
From these verses the apostles gives us a very clear and precise description of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Notice these five things:
1). The equality of Jesus Christ with God, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." Jesus, born at Bethlehem (Matt.2:1), raised in Nazarath (Matt. 2:23), crucified at Calvary (John 19:17) is none other than God Almighty (Isa.9:6); the same in nature, essence and purpose with the Father and the Holy Spirit. All the holy Trinity was involved accomplishing our salvation (Heb. 9:11-14). The Father chose us (Eph. 1:3-6), the Son redeemed us (Eph. 1:7), the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual life (John 3:8).
2). The condescending grace of Jesus Christ, "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." Our Surety, when He was manifested in the flesh, as the Son of man, never ceased being God. He remained what He was, and became what He was not (1 Tim. 3:16; John 1:14).
3). The humiliation of Jesus Christ as the servant, "being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself." The Creator of all things lives among His own creation as the creature. The infinite God joined Himself to an infant (Gal. 4:4; 2 Cor. 8:9). He was servant to the Father (Isa. 42:1) and servant of His covenant people (Matt. 20:28).
4). His perfect obedience in all things, "...became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Our blessed Lord rendered to the righteous God perfect obedience (Matt. 5:17). He satisfied every precept and penalty of God's holy law in every infinite detail (Heb. 7:26; Isa. 42:21). Christ Jesus as our Surety, established for the elect a justifying righteousness before God (2 Cor. 5:21) and provided a perfect atonement for sin (Heb. 2:17; 1 Peter 3:18; Heb. 10;17).
5). His exaltation to the right hand of God, "wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name." How do we know what He said was true, and what He did was accepted of God? By these three things: His resurrection from the dead (Rom.1:1-4), His ascension to glory (Acts 1:9) and His enthronement at God's right hand (Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 10:12;12:2).